19.8.08

MMRDA hits a Jackpot with it's Skywalk

Barely two months after it was thrown open, the city’s first skywalk has brought a windfall for MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority).MMRDA gave the outdoor advertising and maintenance contract for the skywalk to Reliance-ADAG-owned Adlabs for a whopping Rs79crore. Considering the project cost of Rs13.63 crore is around one-sixth of the maintenance contract awarded for 10 years, MMRDA officials know they are on to something big. There are nearly 22 similar skywalks in the pipeline.
The planning and development agency had invited bids for operation and maintenance of the 1.3-km-long skywalk, which connects Bandra station (east) to Kalanagar junction, in June. The contract includes construction of elevators at the Kalanagar end of the skywalk, besides construction of toilets, setting up of CCTVs (closed circuit cameras), hiring a private security agency and cleaning the walkway daily, said joint project director, MMRDA, Dilip Kawathkar. Nearly 35,000 people use it daily.
Six bidders in the race included Jay Kumar and Pioneer Ltd which quoted Rs51.03 crore, Supreme Advertising and Entertainment Pvt Ltd Rs36.36 crore and Rajdeep Buildcon along with RPPL wanted to maintain the skywalk for Rs15.14 crore for the 10-year tenure. Das Offshore Pvt Ltd, the company which has built the skywalk along with DS Mittal, were disqualified from the bidding process.

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